SUBJECT: Sharing a wonderful email about our NAASCA.org web site

FROM: FL

TO: NAASCA family

DATE: 5/01/17

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FL: This email is a long time coming. I wanted to reach out to let you know that your web site may have saved my life.

I am an adult survivor of child abuse (the party pack of abuse). While some of the abuse was obvious, other forms of it – such as the environment in which I was living and the people around me – were not. I started to have more pronounced symptoms of trauma in the past few years and these continued to worsen. The thing was – I had no idea what was wrong with me (I was in my 40s).

Long story short – I had an issue with long-time friend a couple of years ago and started to write things to her that I had no intention of sharing. The letter didn't even sound like me. I deleted the letter but was freaked out. Something about the behavior was familiar and I started to think it may be related to trauma. When I Googled for information (and I had no idea what I was searching for exactly) an article from your website from back in 2011 came up – PTSD in adult survivors of child abuse. I read it and was in shock. Then I read it again 3 more times and spent the next few days walking around in a daze. It sounded, in part, like the article was describing aspects of me. And still, I thought “I am sure I don't have PTSD – just some residual effects of abuse?”

I read other articles on your website about dysfunctional families and a host of other information. I spent weeks trying to talk myself out of whether it was abuse or whether it wasn't. The PTSD article, I believe, noted something about – people not recognizing abuse in some cases – questioning things. It was right on point.

It was by chance that I made it to your website and that article. It took me a few more months, but I finally got up the courage to see a trauma counselor rather than a more general therapist – and this is because the article noted strongly that specific kinds of child abuse are considered to be trauma and that the trauma can and should be treated. I still wasn't sure if I needed a trauma counselor but I went anyway and OH MY GOSH – what an eye opening experience. I guess when one has been suffering from trauma since childhood – and the symptoms become part of who you are – it's difficult to understand that this is not who you were meant to be and that you can be treated, heal and move forward.

Sorry to make this so long but your website has made a profound difference in my life. I am probably not the only one for whom it has had a positive, life changing impact but I wanted to thank you for posting the information and starting the site. I was really suffering before I found the website and while the healing process has been painful (like going through a fire as my therapist likes to say) – I know that there is hope and light now – and ultimately – peace.

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